Pakistani journalist shot dead for reporting against narcotics smugglers

A Pakistani journalist, Ayub Khattak, has been shot dead, in Pakistan over his reporting against narcotics smugglers in his area, his fellow journalists said Saturday.

Khattak had been associated with daily Jang and NNI news agency in Karak district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and had been a hardworking journalist in the area.

Gunmen riding a motorcycle sprayed bullets at Khattak when he was returning home from 'Asar' prayers on Friday, police and eye witnesses said. He died at the scene.

He is the 9th journalists to be killed in Pakistan this year. Pakistan is now among the five most dangerous countries for journalists. They were killed due to their courageous work.

  

It is to be regretted that no government has taken ever thoroughly investigated the killing of journalists. This approach has encouraged the killing of journalists.

Journalists in Karak staged demonstration against the gruesome murder of Ayub Khattak and demanded of the government to apprehend and punish those behind this terrorist act.

Haleem Bukhari, a local journalist in Karak, said Khattak was killed for his reports against the narcotics smugglers.

He said from Karak by the phone that the smugglers had been arrested after his reports and they attacked Khatatk after they got bail.

Bukharai also said the criminal gang had threatened Khattak and his family prior to his brutal murder.

Journalists across the country, particularly in the tribal regions, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, are routinely targeted for their work as everyone wants news of their choice.

No one in Pakistan tolerates criticism and they opt for extreme step to kill journalists after they are exposed.